Bhagavat Gita Hinduism Leadership lessons, Gambling & Vices : 9. Details of Episode 47 B.R Chopra Mahabharat. Promise to Break the thighs and Drink blood from his Chest.

Contextual Background

After the Pandavas successfully complete the Rajasuya Yagna, they invite all kings and princes of Aryavarta to witness their ascension. The maya sabha, constructed with celestial illusionary architecture, plays a crucial role in what follows. When Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince, walks through the hall, he is repeatedly deceived by the illusions: mistaking water for crystal, and solid floors for water, leading to his falling and getting drenched.

Draupadi, witnessing Duryodhana’s embarrassment, is shown laughing in derision in the serial (though in the text, her role in mocking is debated). The taunts heard by Duryodhana, especially the suggestion “Andhe ka putra andha” (“the son of a blind man is also blind”), humiliate him deeply and sow the seeds of his rage and future schemes.

Bhima's Vow: Breaking the Thighs and Drinking Blood

The highlight of Episode 47 is the intense confrontation between Bhima and Duryodhana, during which Bhima makes two solemn vows:

To break Duryodhana's thighs (uru-bhanga-vrata)
To drink the blood of Dushasana (Duryodhana’s brother) from his chest*

1. The Vow to Break Duryodhana’s Thighs

This vow stems from a deeply personal and cultural insult. After Draupadi is lost in the gambling match (a later event), she is disrobed by Dushasana in the Kuru court. According to episodes of B.R. Chopra’s adaptation, Duryodhana slaps his thigh and invites Draupadi to sit on it. This vulgar gesture is considered a grave insult to a woman’s honour in Dharmic tradition.

In response, Bhima swears in front of all present:

"I vow that I shall smash Duryodhana’s thigh in battle with my mace."

In B.R. Chopra’s serial, this is dramatized with powerful dialogue delivered by Praveen Kumar (who played Bhima).

2. The Vow to Drink Dushasana’s Blood

Equally powerful is Bhima’s vow to avenge Draupadi's humiliation by killing Dushasana and drinking his blood. In the Sabha Parva and reiterated in Vana Parva (Mahabharata, Section 267), Bhima says:

"I shall tear open Dushasana's chest and drink his blood like a lion drinks water."

This hyperbolic yet deeply symbolic vow reflects the epic's portrayal of dharma and revenge — while abhorrent by today’s ethical standards, within the context of Draupadi’s dishonour, such a vow is portrayed as justified, almost righteous.

Fulfilment of the Vows

The fulfilment of these vows takes place during the Kurukshetra war:

On the 16th day, Bhima engages in a mace duel (gada yuddha) with Dushasana. He overpowers him, rips open his chest, and drinks his blood, fulfilling his horrifying oath. (Mahabharata, Drona Parva, Section 121)
On the 18th day, Bhima and Duryodhana face off in the final mace duel. Although Duryodhana fights valiantly, Bhima, against the rules of mace combat, strikes him on the thigh, shattering it — thus fulfilling his second vow. (Mahabharata, Shalya Parva, Section 58)

This act is often condemned, even by Krishna and others, as adharma (unrighteous), but justified in the context of Duryodhana’s own prior adharma.

Symbolic and Moral Interpretations

The vows made by Bhima in this episode are symbolic of several larger themes:

Justice vs Revenge: Bhima’s promises are not just personal — they reflect the Pandavas’ struggle to uphold dharma against adharma. Draupadi’s insult symbolizes the collapse of moral order in the kingdom.
Masculinity and Oaths: Oaths taken in public, especially in front of elders and gods, are binding. In Mahabharata, a Kshatriya’s word is sacred — and failing to fulfil such a vow would lead to personal disgrace and loss of honour.
Gender and Honour: Draupadi’s humiliation is not just hers — it is shared by her five husbands. Her honour becomes a central motif that justifies the war.